‘통(通)하－’의 의미구조와 의미확장 양상 분석

Abstract

The objective of this study is to analyze the semantic structure and meaning extension of the verb ‘thong-ha–’ through the lens of cognitive linguistics. When speaking of ‘prototype categorization’, cognitive linguistics sees the semantic structure of a polysemy as a ‘semantic network structure’ or a ‘semantic sequence structure.’ Based on schema expansion, the lexical meanings of a polysemy expand from prototypical meanings to extended meanings. It has to be noted that not all of the extended meanings have something in common with core meanings; rather, with this semantic extension set in sequence, extended meanings that do not share core meaning can also occur.BR The analysis of the semantic structure and meaning extension of ‘thong-ha –’ has yielded the following results. The prototypical meaning of ‘thong-ha–’ represents events in which a concrete object moves along a specific path. Basically, the prototypical meaning of ‘thong-ha–’ can be divided into two sub-meanings according to whether the [path] or the [moving object] is emphasized. If the [path] is brought into relief, the semantic sequence is: [physical spatial path]→[means of movement]→[means]→[qualification]/[cause]. In the semantic extension from [means of movement] to [means], the meaning of [movement], which is the core meaning of ‘thong-ha–’, disappears. Then, in the semantic extension from [means] to [qualification] and [cause], the semantic relation between [physical spatial path], [means], [qualification], and [cause] becomes ambiguous and blurred. On the other hand, when the [moving object] is brought into focus, the semantic sequence is: [movement of concrete object]→[movement of abstract object]. The [movement of abstract object] is mainly used to mean the [word or expression] that shows the ‘smoothness of communication’ and the [way] by which ‘influence is shown’.BR